V12 N. 81 Cross Country Nationals When Small Colleges Could Test Their Mettle Against the Big Boys

November 12, 2022 

Preface:   If you are wondering about my use of the word 'mettle'  in the title of this piece, here is the Google Dictionary definition:

 a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way.

"the team showed their true mettle in the second half"   

I have no one to blame for this posting except myself and Walt Murphy.  Every day I receive his newsletter  This Day in X Country-Track and Field with info about our sport that happened on that day going back to the 19th century.  Well today (November 12) there was a link to a site that talked about when DIII runners could qualify to run in the big show (DI cross country nationals).  Some years they didn't even have to qualify, they just went if they could find a budget.  Those small schools traditionally ran their nationals on a Saturday and the big division had theirs two days later on Monday.  With a travel day on Sunday, an ambitious runner and his or her coach could hop in the station wagon and drive from the DIII site and have another go next day. Often it was just a hop from Wheaton, IL to East Lansing, MI.  And some of these small college runners did very well.  Before there were big and large school divisions the small schools joined in at East Lansing.  In fact, Quentin Brelsford of Ohio Wesleyan University won the race in 1946. In those days it was rare to see a school from west of the Mississippi or south of the Ohio rivers competing at the NCAA nationals.

Kirk Reynolds at Pomona-Pitzer College  has developed a nice website with DIII history including results from 1973 to 1990 for DIII runners who went to the big show (Div I)

This link will give you a page with some of that history about how DIII individual runners (not teams)  made the trek between the two races and how they placed.  https://www.sagehens.com/sports/wxc/HistoriansReport/Div-III-at-Div-I-meet.htm

I recall going to Madison, WI in 1978 to see the Div I race and being very impressed by Dan Henderson, a runner from Wheaton College, placing very well in that race and  going head to head with Alberto Salazar, Thom Hunt, Rudy Chapa, Michael Musyoki and even Henry Rono who had an off day.  The other thing I recall about that weekend ride to Madison, Wisconsin was hearing the breaking news about the Jonestown, Guyana massacre.

comment from Dave Elger and video of 1978 race. 

Dave Elger	1:53 AM (10 hours ago)
to me

I was at that race in Madison with my trusty Super 8 video camera.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVo7pyujkGQ&t=62s

Note:  Henderson is the tall runner with an orange hat (toque)  on his head

What Kirk Reynolds' website does not show are the results from 1958 to 73 when there were no DI DII and DIII divisions but only 'College' and 'University' divisions.  Fortunately I was able to dig out those years from T&FN archives.  As wiseacres might say, "It takes a certain mentality to go through old stats."  I'm normally not one of those guys, but today I have reason.  Living up here on Vancouver Island, there's not much else to do in the winter.  Actually that's not true. There is wood to chop and salmon to catch.   The reason I did this is I got to know a fellow up here who won the college division race for the University of North Dakota in 1967 and two days later finished  second in the University division at Laramie, WY not far behind Gerry Lindgren. His name was Arjan Gelling, a Dutch immigrant to Canada who came down south to go to college.  Arjan passed away about five years ago, but I was able to meet him several times and develop a bond and wrote a piece about him for this blog.

Here is the link to that piece:  https://onceuponatimeinthevest.blogspot.com/2015/06/v-5-no-55-arjan-gelling-dutch-canadian.html

 Here then are those results of small school runners and how they did in their College Division race and then the University Division from 1958-1973.  If you continue reading from this point you may have a lifetime subscription to this blog and also check in to the nearest TSA (Track Stats Anonymous) meeting room.   You can talk your way through this with other track nuts.  Also I've highlighted a few names that I recall went on to bigger and better things in the track and cross country world.  You may recognize some of my omissions.    

1958

College Div Place        University Div Place     Name                             School

           3rd                               3rd                  Ed Vander Heuvel     Central Michigan

           DNR                            4th                   Tom Rodda  Kans. State Teachers Col.

                                                                        (later called Emporia St in 1974)

           DNR                            11th                 David Peele                     Beloit

            DNR                            18th               Duane Holman  Kans. St. Teachers Col

            DNR                           41                    Frank Finnerty               Alfred

           4th                               45th                  Warren Hall                    Wabash

George,

Dave Peele, 1958 Beloit, was a prof at UM, Ann Arbor. He and I rode with Jack Knoll to Boston Marathon in 71 or 72.  Bruce Kritzler

1959

            5th                              27th                  Warren Hall                     Wabash

             DNR                          23rd                   Larry Sweet                     Alfred

             DNR                          37th                    Frank Finnerty                Alfred

             DNR                           41st                    Tom Ryan                      Lemoyne

1960

              DNR                           12th                     Larry Sweet                   Alfred

              DNR                            52nd                   Ron Reinhart                Wabash

               DNR                           75th                    Joseph Di Camillo         Alfred

Of note in 1960.   It doesn't look as if Alfred College was even aware of the College Division race as they don't appear to go to it.   Also one of the University Division runners caught my attention.  Finishing 78th this year from the US Military Academy admittedly a University Division school was Ron Zinn who would represent the US in 1964 as a race walker and later die as an officer in Viet Nam.  

1961

                4th                            24th                       Les Hegedus                   Central State (OH)

                6th                            66th                       Tim Burns                       Buffalo State

                 DNR                        17th                       Dennis Moore                 Abeline Christian

                 DNR                        33rd                       John Lawler                    Abeline Christian

                27th                          99th                       Wm Keller                       Oberlin

                 41st                         108th                      Wm Flynn                        Buffalo St.

1962

                 1st                             7th                         Les Hegedus                    Central St. (OH)

                 8th                            87th                         Wm Moore                      Central St. (OH)

                  DNR                       114th                        Fred Kurz                        Chicago

See our post on Les Hegedus      Les Hegedus

1963

                  1st                               2nd                        John Camien    Kansas St Teachers Col

                  6th                              75th                        Wm Moore                     Central St (OH)

                  12th                           104th                        Loren Wilkinson             Wheaton

                   13th                            65th                         Wm Wise                        Thiel

1964

                    2nd                            46th                         Wm Moore                        Central St (OH)

                    6th                              8th                          Robert Lally                      SUNY Cortland

                    9th                              91st                         Dave Shuler                    West Liberty State

                    13th                           101st                        Ernest Wilson                   North Dakota

                     17th                           110st                        Robert Fitts                      SUNY Cortland

1965

                      1st                             14th                          Gene Takle                         Luther

                      3rd                             25th                         David Heffern                    South Dakota

                       4th                            26th                           Donald Knox                      Kentucky St.

                       8th                            35th                            Edw. Watt                          N.E. Louisiana

                       12th                          85th                           Ronald Werling                  N.E. Missouri St.

                        13th                        116th                            Kevin Keogh                      Western Illinois

1966

                         1st                           9th                               Bob Fitts                            SUNY Cortland

                         2nd                          6th                               Ambrose Burfoot           Wesleyan

                         11th                         51st                              Ronald Werling                 N.E. Missouri

                          12th                        75th                              Peter Hildebrand                Chicago

1967

                           1st                           2nd                              Arjan Gelling                  North Dakota

                            DNR                      6th                               Ambrose Burfoot            Wesleyan

                            7th                         72nd                            John Kerr                            Ball State

                            15th                        32nd                            Bruce Sundet                      Luther

1968

                             DNR                       4th                               Grant Colhour     Eastern Kentucky

                              DNR                      14th                             Ken Silvius         Eastern Kentucky

                             3rd                          35th                             Troy Roberts                   Western Illinois

                            5th                           81st                              Arjan Gelling                   North Dakota'

1969

                             1st                           41st                              Ron Stonitsch               C.W. Post

                             2nd                          49th                             John Cragg                 St. Johns (MN)

                             4th                           160th                           Martin McIntire          Eastern Illinois

                             5th                             32nd                          Jerome Dirken             St. Cloud St.

                              7th                           114th                          Alan Taylor                  Illinois State

1970

                              1st                             16th                          Mark Covert                 Cal St. Fullerton

                               2nd                           21st                           John Cragg                    St. Johns (MN)

                               9th                             55th                          Wm Ryan                   Cal Poly Pomona

1971

                                1st                             3rd                           Mike Slack                 North Dakota

                                 3rd                           40th                          Mark Covert           Cal St Fullerton

                                 4th                            22nd                         Daniel Moynihan         Tufts

                                 5th                            17th                           John Casso              Cal St Fullerton

                                  7th                            77th                          Randy Lussenden      North Dakota

                                   8th                            86th                        Steve Podgajay         Lockhaven

                                    9th                           131st                        Chris Hoffman        Cal St Fullerton

1972

                                    DNR                        30th                         Jeff Lough                Cal St LA

                                   1st                             40th                         Mike Slack               North Dakota

                                   2nd                            85th                         Daniel Moynihan        Tufts

                                    4th                            34th                        Garry Bentley            South Dakota

                                    12th                          97th                         Tom Fleming    Wm. Patterson

1973

                                     2nd                          112th                       Glenn Behnke             North Central

                                     4th                           114th                       Francis Verdoliva     SUNY Oswego

                                     5th                           105th                       Fernando Suarez      SUNY Oswego

After 1973  the DI  DII and DIII divisions were created, there were fewer openings for the smaller schools to attend the DI meet.  That continued until 1990.   I'm sure I've made some mistakes in this as schools moved up from College to University divisions during this period.  Southern Illinois, Central Michigan, Ball State, Abilene Christian for example.  So if you find errors or feel someone was left out, please let me know.  I normally don't do things like this, but it was a slow news day.  Hopefully in the near future I will be able to do something about the DIII women going to the big show. 

 In writing this piece and culling names from the records late into the night, I could not help but think of all the incredible people who have gone to the line in all the cross country meets everywhere.  They are the "people with few options" as my friend Bill Schnier has said.  They couldn't play football or basketball.  They had to work or do paper routes in the early hours or ran two miles each way to school and back.  Cross Country was their only option.  Most were for some reason well above average in the classroom and must have contributed well to mankind as adults.  Bless 'em all.   

.      George Brose

                                  

The first addition to this piece comes from Geoff Pietsch who sent some of the results from the 1956 NCAA meet.  This was according to the Pomona Pitzer site, before the NCAA used the terms College and University Divisions, which was the scope of my article, but I'll put tput this in anyway.

George,

      Some additions for your small college guys at NCAAs.  My college, Union (Schenectady) had a couple of excellent guys when I was there. As you can see, below, In 1956 (my sophomore year) John Parillo (former NY State H.S. champ, from Schenectady) placed 24th. 

     Two years later, Tom Hoffman of Union soundly beat Frank Finnerty of Alfred (who is on your list multiple times) twice during the season but then got sick in November for IC4As. If not, he might well have been second that year and in contention for top 10 at NCAAs. What is especially remarkable about Parillo and Hoffman is that they ran so well on probably 25 miles a week training. Our coach - and also Union's A.D. -was a former Big 10 discus champ. Nice guy but... In my 2 ½ seasons of XC we only ran longer than five miles twice. TWICE in 2 ½ seasons. 

       Hoffman and I took an intro Human Biology course together. After lunch. One day the prof had us check our resting pulse rates. Mine was 52. Tom's was 36. Who knows what he might have done.

Geoff 

P.S. I copied this to Walt. I found this fascinating website for New England and vicinity small college results here. If you go to it. Click on a college. Nothing seems to happen but if you go back and scroll down to the college, each year appears.) 

https://sites.google.com/site/loosetreexcountry/home

loosetree_xcountry Mostly New England Cross Country small college results beginning in 1901 focusing on the NESCAC schools and my alma mater, Williams College. Now adding in some of the D3 New York and Pennsylvania schools. Current categories include: Amherst College Bates College Bowdoin College Colby sites.google.com

26 November 1956, NCAA @East Lansing MI, 4 miles

27F, 3" of snow on the ground

 1 Walter McNew        Texas    19:55.7

 2 James Beatty        UNC    20:09

 3 Henry Kennedy    MI St    20:10

24 John Parillo        Union    20:54.1

25 Lewis Stieglitz    Conn    20:54.2

31 Frank Finnerty    Alfred    21:07

           This came in from Dave Elger in South Korea

Great stuff.  I ran with Glenn Behnke's (1973)  brother Donn. at Stevens Point who has won 11 or 12 state titles 

(Chris Arnand Suzy Favor Hamilton grad).  Another Point runner Arne Schroeder won DIII and came back to get 

11th in DI in 1986.   

Dear George:

As a bit of trivia for your article.

1964 was the last year the Cross Country Championship was run at the four mile distance.  The race was run at East Lansing, MI.

1965 was the first year the NCAA ran at the six mile distance.  The race was run at Lawrence, KS.

The championship was won, both years, by Western Michigan University under Coach George Dales.

Take care,

Tom Coyne

 

V 12 N. 81 Honoring Olympic Veterans Who Died in War

 

This is the ninth year we publish this piece that was first  cobbled together in 2014.  Not all these women and men were in the military.  Some were civilians others resistance fighters serving their countries on both sides of conflict in many different ways.  I've chosen not to display a flag, because there are so many veterans world wide who all need to be honored.  I also recognize indigenous veterans who served for their colonizers in many countries, from the Navajo code talkers in the South Pacific to Kenyans who served in the Kings, , African Rifles in WWII, Senegalese who fought in France in WWI, and black and white South Africans buried side by side in a WWI cemetery in Tanzania.  This past year an indigenous friend recounted the story of how his grandfather came home from WWII to Canada and in uniform was able to buy a drink in a bar.  The next day in his civilian clothes he was refused service in that same bar because he was an Indian.  Lest we forget.   George Brose

Olympians Who Died in War   Link

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda     song by Eric Bogle in our opinion the best anti-war song ever written

Final Scene from Galliopli    In this scene there are strong references to the sport of track and field.

This was one of your best as we celebrate Veterans Day in the US.  Originally Armistice Day and now Veterans Day, we only celebrate those from the US or those who fought with the US, but there were so many others just like us, people like Luz Long and my cousin, Bernard Hibben, who died because they were told to do so by leaders of another country.  I listened intently to Walzing Matilda, truly hearing it for the first time.  I experienced both goose bumps and tears as I listened to the waste of legs and life.  In my case I thought of God looking down on us and wondering the same thing as Eric Bogle.  On this day of celebrating military might, I will be asking "why?" and "for what?" Bill Schnier

Eric Bogle has written, not one but, the TWO best anti-war songs.  In addition to -  And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,  Bogle also wrote - The Green Fields of France. 

If you haven't heard any of the several singers who have recorded the song (in addition to Bogle) please pull up a YouTube performance.   Thomas Coyne

Here's Tom's recommendation   Willy McBride The Green Fields of France

A great way to honor our ultimate HEROES is through my two favorite charities: WOUNDED WARRIORS and PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA. Surely there are no more deserving of our help. Great reminder George. 

Darryl Taylor

V 12 N. 80 George Young R.I.P.

                                      

                        George Young, Four-Time Olympian

                        July 24, 1937 – November 8, 2022

George Young was around so long (four olympiads in distance running), such a tough competitor, who would ever have suspected he was mortal?  But like everyone else, he too reached a finish line.  But what a life race.    In looking for ways to cover his career, I've ceded to a good friend's blog.  John Cobley who writes racingpast.ca has done a great job of covering George Young's life and career.  I've just added some photos.  See the link below.  George Brose

Racingpast.ca (George Young profile)

Leading a ten years younger Frank Shorter and Jack Bacheler

An epic duel with Pre

                                    Leading Ben Kogo and Kerry O'Brien at Mexico City

             Below, on vacation and fishing with Bill Dellinger in Mexico in recent times.

From Earl Young

Terry Young, George’s younger brother came to ACC/U my second year of Grad school — 1964. Lives in Conroe, Texas and has coached many years. I spoke with him yesterday and gave condolences. And to his mom, Nancy. 

George and I of course were Teammates in Rome and also in “61 in Moscow and then on to Warsaw, Germany and London. We went to church together each Sunday we were together. 

One of those relationships in life where we are aware of each other's doings but don’t see each other. Lots of relationships like that and now in these late years I wish those relationships had stayed closer. 

I remember George as one of the real people with solid integrity. A life well lived touching many as a example of how to live and how to compete. I understand there is a Dec.11 Memorial service at the university.

Cheers,  EY

V 12 N. 79 Wilson Kiprugut First Kenyan Olympic Medalist R.I.P.

 

Wilson Kiprugut  
1938-2022

Born: 1938, Kericho, Kenya

Died: November 1, 2022, Kericho, Kenya

Medals: Athletics at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 800 metres, MORE

Personal best(s): 400 m – 46.6 (1965); 800 m – 1:44.57 (1968)

Wilson Kiprugut, the first Kenyan to win an Olympic medal passed away on November 2, 2022.   He won the bronze at 800 meters in 1964 and followed that with a silver in 1968.  He was part of that early contingent of Kenyans just beginning to blossom on the international scene with Kip Keino just missing out in 1964 but coming on in the 1500, 5000 and steeplechase in 1968 and 1972. along with Mike Boit in in the 800  '72.  

Thus the dynasty began and it was Wilson Kiprugut who could always claim to have been the first.

1968 Mexico City 800 meters   link

Wilson Kiprugut from Olympics.com   link

V 12 N. 78 Pete Brown, University of New Mexico R.I.P.

 

                                                 Pete Brown in Action

We lost a good friend this week, Pete Brown.  When I say we, I speak for a lot of people, though only a few of those have I ever met.  Pete was another of those ultimate track fans.  He began going to meets at the L.A. Coliseum with his father in the early 1950's.  One of his heroes back then was Jim Fuchs the Yale shot putter who preceded Parry O'Brien on American podiums.  Pete was hooked from the get go.

He became an 880 runner at his high school in California and received a scholarship to the University of New Mexico where he clocked a 1:52  880.  While at New Mexico he became friends with Adolph Plummer, Tony Sandoval, Wayne Vandenberg, and Dick Howard, all teammates with the Lobos.  He married young and his senior year delivered newspapers every morning to help make ends meet for his new family.  

After graduation he stayed near the university for awhile and helped coach the cross country team that won the WAC conference championship that year.  There he became friends with Tony Sandoval who would become the Director of Track and Field at Cal Berkeley.  

He would move on to Chicago and manage properties with his second wife Julia, but he eventually found another passion in historical tourism.  Pete organized tours to all the European and American battlefields that the US ever had troops fighting on.  I'm not sure about Asia and South America.   Not only did he do that but on those tours the historians who wrote the books about those places accompanied him.  Many of those tours were also combined with the Smithsonian Institution and their tour business.  Pete and Julia eventually sold the business and retired in Plano, Texas.  

I first met Pete through this blog.  Someone introduced us via email and we corresponded regularly.  He was a great source of information and had a wonderful library that served as a reference tool for many of our postings.  I stopped by Plano twice to see Pete and both times we talked track late into the night, but we also squeezed in some history and military stories.  He was a Marine Corps veteran.  

I am putting links to several stories I've posted in this blog which relate to Pete, his life and his work.  You are more than welcome to read and I hope to enjoy them, and perhaps you will feel the joy in knowing Pete as I have.   There are also a number of comments about Pete that have been forwarded from his friends.

George Brose,

Courtenay, British Columbia

https://onceuponatimeinthevest.blogspot.com/2021/06/v-11-n-35-conversation-with-old-friend.html

https://onceuponatimeinthevest.blogspot.com/2012/04/brief-conversation-about-attitude-and.html

https://onceuponatimeinthevest.blogspot.com/2015/12/v-5-n-118-more-on-adolph-plummerseldom.html

https://onceuponatimeinthevest.blogspot.com/2015/11/v-5-n-117-adolph-plummer-rip-440-world.html

George:

Yes, very sad about Pete. He and I got to know each other very well when I came to UNM. He loved the newsletters that I wrote each week and he especially enjoyed the newsletters about the alums. When I decided to write a book about Lobo cc/track history he was very helpful in informing me about the 1959-1969 time period. I flew over to Dallas where he lived and spent the day with him just recording his thoughts. I would speak with him about every month and spoke with him just three weeks ago about the book. I sent him the chapter on his career and asked him to give me feedback. I always laughed when I spoke to Pete as he just loved to talk about track & field. A really good guy.  Rich

Dr. Richard J. Ceronie

Track & Field Office

Department of Athletics

MSC04 2680 1 University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM 87131

All:

Pete Brown was my shadow coach during my running career at Albuquerque high school. He introduced me to track & field news and all its publications. He guided me to a NM state cross country  championship and 880 championship in the spring 1963. Pete was my hero to say the least.                                 My freshmen year he was a grad assistant to coach Hackett when UNM won its first WAC team championship. I was # 5 on that team with Ed Coleman (WAC champion) , John Baker, Lloyd Goff, Ron Singleton. 

RIP Pete! 

Tony Sandoval

 

George -

 

.  I lost a dear friend and colleague of 62 years.  We met in September of 1960 when we were both student athletes at the University of New Mexico and have remained family-like brothers ever since; I attended and participated in his first formal wedding in the early 60’s and after I left the coaching field, Pete worked for our real estate investment and management company in the construction management division in the late 80’s until the early 90’s; he lived in Chicago and became a ardent fan of the Chicago Cubs, and when I moved to Frisco (north Dallas suburb adjacent to Plano where Pete had lived until his passing for probably 30 plus years), we would meet semi-regularly at Starbucks to talk about politics, world events and mostly track & field plus college and professional sports until the last year and a half when he was unable to be in contact with the outside world because of his immune system.  An extremely interesting man with great passion for history and track & field and other events in which he could weave fascinating stories about his life and experiences.  We attended many NCAA T&F Championships together as well as the Texas Relays, Drake Relays and the USA vs Russia Meet in Los Angeles in the early to mid 60’s.  His passion for visiting Major League Baseball parks (every one of them as of approximately 2005), every gravesite of US Vice Presidents, all the historic US battlefields from the Civil and Revolutionay War, Lewis & Clark’s Trail, the history and trade evolution of the great Mississippi River, and the great battlefields where the US fought during WWII in Europe and the resulting US cemeteries across Europe via the history-themed tours he conducted around the world via the company that he and Julia founded, HistoryAmerica. 

He is and will be missed by me and many others who crossed paths with Pete.

Wayne Vandenburg

V 12 N. 77 Echo Summit 1968 Olympic Trials

 

Echo Summit Olympic Trials 1968  Clik Here

We have posted above a series of videos of the 1968 Olympic Trials in Echo Summit, California.  It takes some understanding, patience, and acceptance to watch as it is unedited.  There is little or no commentary by announcers of the events as you see them other than what you can hear in the background from the P.A. system.  There are some person to person interviews.   Some of the runners and jumpers are identified, others are not, so you will have to watch this through your personal lens of expertise and interest.  Sometimes it is frustrating as in the second semi final of the 1500 meters as you see the runners starting the last lap, but you do not get to see the finish.  Names, places and all times are not mentioned in most cases.  I was able to pick out Bob Day  winning the 5000 (14:37.4)  Jack Bacheler, in second same time, and Lou Scott (14:53.2) finishing third  for example but others I will have to go back and check for more of the official results.  

The layout of the facilities at Echo Summit are incredibly beautiful,  and it is clear that it was not meant to be kept there indefinitely as a monument or training site, despite Payton Jordan's plea that it remain.  He mentions that Bill Bowerman was doing medical research, but there was also a lot othe same being done by Jack Daniels as well.  The place has long been torn up and given back to nature.  The meet has the ambiance of a county track meet, but the performances are world class.    The pole vault runway set diagonally to the straightaways and  virtually in the infield forest is beautiful but certainly not spectator friendly.  Same can be said of the long jump runway.  There is footage of a 17' 8" WR by Bob Seagren and a 27' 6" leap by Bob Beamon who seems very pleased with his effort.  Just wait a few weeks, Bob. No Fosbury here.   I'm sure many of you will be able to add more info to things you see in this film.  If you care, let me know and I'll add your views to this blog.  

There are interviews with John Carlos, Payton Jordan, Harry Edwards, Eldridge Cleaver and George Forman.  Does anybody recognize the interviewers or know if they ever made it in their field?  Carlos's interview is about his not getting a WR recognition for his 200m due to the brush spikes he was wearing.  Least that's what I recall.  There are opposing views of the proposed boycott of the 68 Games presented which eventually were not boycotted.  All in all this is a very interesting piece of historical footage which people who lived in those times will find very informative and certainly show us how far we had to go then in race relations and remind us that we still have a long way to go today.  This is also during the middle of the Viet Nam War and nothing is mentioned of it.  Indeed the world was in revolt in 1968, the Prague Spring was just terminated by Russia's invasion of Czechoslovakia, there were riots in Germany and France by students and leftists, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy had been killed.  And in the middle of all this we held an incredible track meet.

Thanks to Ricky Quintana for sending this to us via Bruce Kritzler.

Below is the source recognition of this video which was found on Internet Archives.

We are merely passing this on to our readers and not seeking any profit from it.

George:

I attended the 1968 Olympic Trials at S. Lake Tahoe.

It was truly awe inspiring to watch world class runners perform

on a all weather track carved out of the forest at S. Lake Tahoe!

Never Forgot it!

John Bork

Echo Sum

by

 

KCRA TVE

Echo Summit Olympic Trials  Publication Date 1968

 KCRA-TV, Olympics -- Olympic Trials

Description: A nineteen-minute film containing footage of the Olympic trials at Echo Summit, California in 1968. The film includes interviews with  including bronze-medal winner John Carlos, Coach Payton Jordan, and various track and field events. Also seen are Dr. Harry Edwards and Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver who supported a ban on the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. 

 

John Wesley Carlos is an American former track and field athlete and professional football player. He was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics, and his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy. 

Source: HD Transfer from the original 16mm film elements

Accession number: 1983/131; VAM 067

Copyright: Rights are owned by the Center for Sacramento History (CSH). CSH has given the Internet Archive permission to provide access to the digitized work online. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of CSH. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing, and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

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2018-06-04 22:45:43

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Color

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VAM067

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Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.6.3

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1968

V 12 N. 76 A New Website for Your Research and Great Reading Trackattic.xyz

 To All Our Readers:

Russ Reabold of Trojan Force has informed us about a new website his group has developed and is developing that will be of great use to Track Fanatics all over the world.  It is still a work in progress but already has a depth that you will appreciate.  He notes that at this time it is a bit top heavy with California things but I find it is still full of great information from multiple sources,  and it includes this blog in it's hardware.

Here is the link   Trackattic

Correction:   Above we incorrectly stated that Trackattic.xyz is a project of Russ Reabold and Trojan Force.   Trojan Force is not  a part of this.  Gary Wright and Russ Reabold are the co-developers of this project.    George

V 12 N. 75 Track Officiating 101

 And now for something entirely different:

 

Actually this is street smarts 101   or what to do when someone wants to sell you some bit coin certificates, and it's that or getting your wife an anniversary present.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ky2vC4WDqbs?feature=share    

V 12 N. 74 Owen Hewett, A Champion for Everyone Who Knew Him

 Owen "Bully" Hewett died last week.  Most of you are probably scratching your heads wondering who he was.  It you ran track at the University of Oklahoma anytime from 1956 onward, you know of whom I am speaking.   Bully as he was best known was an equipment manager to begin back then.  Somehow the coaches Bill Carroll and John Jacobs took him under their wing and named him their equipment manager.  But in reality it was Bully who took us under his wings.  As the obituary notes, Bully was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at an early age.  It affected him physically and  verbally, but he was a guy who was always able to get his point across.  He taught us the meaning of courage and not giving up.  And in the long term the program benefited over and over and over from Bully's generosity in time, talent and funding for various track and field projects as well as women's volleyball and gymnastics.  The varsity locker room is named after him and he has funded an athletic scholarship.  He served many years as president of the Spike Club.  We will all miss you, Bully.     George Brose  

OBITUARY

Owen Merritt Hewett

20 MARCH, 1938 – 16 OCTOBER, 2022

IN THE CARE OF

Primrose Funeral Service & Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery

OOwen Merritt Hewett, 84, of Norman Oklahoma passed away Sunday October 16, 2022. Owen was born to Elva Anne Trueblood and Charles Merritt Hewett on March 20, 1938 in Baltimore Maryland.

Owen attended elementary through high school in Catonsville Maryland. After finishing high school, Owen achieved a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1960, then achieved a Masters in Mathematics from North Carolina University in 1961. Owen was an equipment manager for multiple sports in high school, and an equipment manager for the OU track team while attending OU. Owen went on to work as a finance consultant in the banking industry.

Owen was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 23 months old but never let his diagnosis stop him from succeeding. He succeeded in academics, business and in being a good friend to so many that were fortunate enough to have crossed his path. He had a great sense of humor and had no shortage of jokes.

In 1990 the Owen Hewett award was established. It is awarded to a track and field athlete that demonstrates outstanding achievements both in the classroom and out on the track. Also in 1990, the locker room at OU’s John Jacob’s track facility was named for Mr. Hewett.

Owen was a truly devoted OU fan! He loved football and was a season ticket holder even at the time of his death. He was also the CFO of the “Spike Club” an organization that raised funds for the OU track team. Owen also supported the women’s volleyball and gymnastics teams.

Owen is preceded in death by; parents, mother Elva Anne Trueblood and father Charles Merritt Hewett, multiple close friends and teammates, and his loving canine companion Freckles.

Owen is survived by his faithful dog Winthrop.

Although Owen died with no family, he will be deeply missed by many close friends and an amazing team of caregivers.

A memorial service will be held for Owen on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 11:00AM at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Norman.

George:

Owen - RIP

You Meant so much to so many........

Some didn't realize this until much later in time!

John Bork

DARRYL TAYLOR	3:00 PM (1 hour ago)
to me

George-Thanks for sharing. Sorry for the news of yet another great one gone. We are in that zone for

 sure. Like the veterans from WWll the pace of our mentors now accelerate into sadness. 

Life’s cycle all around us.    DARRYLMTAYLOR 

S

to me

   As you already know, most schools have a Bully Hewett.  Sometimes they are gruff, yet still have the best for everyone in mind.  Others are kind and helpful without having to go through all that gruffness.  Nevertheless, they are present through the decades and always make a behind-the-scenes difference.  Good story.  Bill Schnier

Stephen Morelock	3:36 PM (33 minutes ago)
t

Very nice, George. Thank you for posting. SVM 

Thanks very much for this. I knew Owen very well having been on the team from 1955 to 1958.

 He was an inspiration to us all.

 

Jim Denton

V 12 N. 73 Yes, Shakespeare Knew Cross Country

 

Shakespeare Knew Cross Country  link,  click here

Our annual visit to that time of chivalry when men gathered on the soggy fields of France to do battle for the right to call themselves, Champs of Western  Europe. 

V 12 N. 72 Bill Nieder, U. of Kansas Olympic Shot Put Champion R.I.P.

Heard today from Michael Solomon about the passing of Bill Nieder.  After years of domination by Perry O'Brien,  Bill Nieder brought shot putting to the next level.  This was in the pre-PED era.   He too was looking over his shoulder at the new kid on the block, Dallas Long.   But when the cards were on the table in Rome in 1960, Nieder was the champ.  After his days of throwing ended he had a very brief career as a boxer, and to his credit saw that some other form of work might be a good career move.  Bill Nieder was 89 years old.   George

A couple of comments have come in regarding my statement above concerning steroid and/or PED use.  Those readers feel that PED's were in use by 1960.   However no one claimed  that Bill Nieder was juiced.  And it was not as widespread as more recent times.  For sure the Eastern bloc countries were a case of institutionalized cheating in that era and continued up into modern times.

I do remember that some of the football players at Oklahoma were going down to a gym in Baton Rouge, LA in the summer and coming back a bit larger than God intended.  

Lawrence, KU track legend and Olympic gold medalist Bill Nieder dies at 89 Matt Tait Story by Matt Tait Monday, October 10, 2022 

Bill Nieder grew up in Lawrence and won a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics by putting the shot 64 feet, 6 3/4 inches, a world record. He was a 1952 graduate of Lawrence's Liberty Memorial High School. Former Lawrence high school legend and University of Kansas shot put standout Bill Nieder, who held significant records in the event at both schools, died last week, his family confirmed to the Journal-World. Nieder was 89. Known best for winning the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Nieder might never have dabbled in the shot put if not for a football injury during his sophomore season at KU. Taken out after the whistle on a play against TCU in the season opener in 1953, Nieder tore up his knee and nearly had to have part of his leg amputated. Doctors at the time told him his athletic career had reached its end, but the fiery Nieder was undeterred. It might have been the end of his football career, but so much still awaited him. “He always told me that football was his main love,” his nephew, Mike Nieder, told the Journal-World on Monday. “And maybe that’s what motivated him to do so well in the shot because that was all he could do.” All he could do was pretty darn good. A two-time Olympic medalist, Nieder won silver in 1956 in Melbourne before winning gold four years later. But even that wasn’t a walk in the park. At the Olympic trials leading up to the 1960 Olympics, a pre-trials injury led to Nieder finishing fourth in the shot put and he qualified for the team as an alternate. As Team USA prepped for Rome, Nieder responded by breaking the world record in one of the final meets of the season. Mike Nieder said his uncle used to tell him that one of the three team members came down with a “mystery illness” that allowed Nieder to join the team and win gold. One other story Mike Nieder recalled hearing was that of a bet between his uncle and KU legend Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain, Mike Nieder recalled, bet Nieder that he could outdo him in the shot put. He did. But there was a catch. Rather than using the standard technique, Chamberlain stood backwards and used the leverage of his long arms while launching the shot over his head with both hands. The throw would have been illegal in a track and field setting, but Mike Nieder said it won the bet. Long before he became an Olympic champion, Nieder set the shot put record at LHS that stood for 59 years. Nieder always said he expected his high school mark to be broken and that he would treat the LHS athlete who broke it to a steak dinner. That happened in 2012, when Nieder flew from California to Lawrence to treat former LHS track standout Blake Hocking to the meal. Hocking’s record of 62 feet, 9 inches, was two feet better than Nieder’s mark. He became the country’s first prep athlete to break the 60-foot barrier with a 12-pound shot and, later, the first college athlete to break the 60-foot mark with a 16-pound shot. Nieder owned the world record three times before his career was finished and he went into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2006. After he was finished competing, Nieder stayed close to the sports world, working for 3M to help develop the world’s first ever artificial athletic turf. He also later helped sell synthetic track surfaces. According to the family, Nieder passed away peacefully at his home in Angels Camp, California, where he lived for the past two decades, splitting time between his home there and a home in Maui. The family will host a celebration of life for Nieder on Nov. 13 at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, California.